Jarrod DeMond is just 29 years old. But the Red Wing resident has been doing custom upholstery for nearly 15 years.

DeMond's mother, Tammy Kokott, owned a custom upholstery business in DeMond's native southern Illinois. Because it was a family business, "you're always helping out," DeMond said.

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Now DeMond is bringing his experience to Red Wing. Kokott recently retired, and DeMond opened JDeMond's Custom Upholstery July 1.

"I decided that I wanted to do that," he said.

DeMond has lived in Red Wing for three years, he said. He previously worked as a car salesman.

One of DeMond's main tools - in addition to pneumatic nail guns - will be an industrial sewing machine that has been in his family for three generations.

"My mom's uncle sold it to (my mom); I got it from her," DeMond said.

DeMond's shop and workspace is located in the basement of a downtown Red Wing building. However, DeMond will meet clients at their homes, he said. DeMond is an authorized dealer for Greenhouse Fabrics, and he will offer a variety of leather, cloth, vinyl and patterned fabrics.

Though DeMond will do any type of upholstery - including automotive and marine pieces - he said he especially enjoys reupholstering antique pieces.

"I've always been fascinated about making something old into something new," DeMond said, adding that he really enjoys "helping someone find a custom piece of furniture."

DeMond said his main customers are people who are looking to furnish their homes and antique collectors. He added that following the recent recession, more people are looking to do home improvements, and now is a good time for him to enter the market.

"The market is going to grow," he said.

The business offers free pick-up and delivery within about a 50-mile radius of Red Wing, though DeMond said he will travel farther than that in some cases. If needed, DeMond said he can work onsite.

For now, DeMond is the business' only employee, though he said he would eventually like to hire more people and expand his services.

Sarah Gorvin has been with the Republican Eagle for two years and covers education, business and crime and courts. She graduated from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in 2010 with a journalism degree.